No. 3 Tuscaloosa County takes down No. 5 Gadsden

Saturday

Aug 30, 2008 at 1:02 AM

By Aaron Suttles,Sports Writer

GADSDEN | Tuscaloosa County High School football players stood facing their fans after the game, an index finger representing No. 1 pointed skyward.After hearing all summer about the top two players in the state — Gadsden City’s Dre Kirkpatrick and Kendell Kelly — the Wildcats proved that the power of a team is stronger than the talents of a few.Despite three turnovers, all in the first half, third-ranked Tuscaloosa County dominated No. 5 Gadsden City 24-6 in a battle of Class 6A powers Friday night at Titan Field.“We knew they had big-time players,” Tuscaloosa County coach Robert Higginbotham said. “They’re outstanding players, and fortunately we had success against them tonight.”The Wildcats’ defense held the Titans to 156 yards, allowing only an interception return by Kirkpatrick, the state’s top college prospect.TCHS struck first, sparked by a Riley Colburn interception of a Gadsden City pass.Brett Booth connected for 12 yards on two short passes before finding Ronnie McMillan for the game’s first score. The Titans blew the coverage, leaving McMillan uncovered. McMillan got Booth’s attention by raising his hands, and the quarterback dropped back and lofted a 21-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline.Booth found out how dangerous the state’s best player can be when he threw in the face of a rush and Kirkpatrick intercepted and returned it 65 yards to tie the score at 6 with 2:44 remaining in the first quarter.“I read it wrong, threw it off my back foot,” Booth said. “Basically, I did everything you shouldn’t do.“We came out a little too excited, which I think led to some mistakes. I was too pumped up. But overall we came together and played well overall. This is a big win.”The Wildcats’ Caleb Lewis blocked a punt and then caught a 20-yard pass from Booth to give Tuscaloosa County the ball at the Titans’ 25-yard line midway through the first quarter. Three plays later, Booth ran around the right end for a 4-yard touchdown.Tuscaloosa County threatened again before the half, but fumbled at the Gadsden City 38 and the half ended with TCHS up 12-6.It was a sloppy first half with six total turnovers, three by each team.The Wildcats opened the second half by going 81 yards in seven plays to stretch their lead to 18-6. Booth found Lewis for 36 yards, and Damian Minor followed up with a 22-yard run to give TCHS the ball inside the Titans’ 20. Three plays later, Booth scampered around left end for a 13-yard score.After forcing a three-and-out, the Wildcats got the ball and went 63 yards in nine plays, punctuated by a Booth 1-yard sneak for the score to close the game’s scoring.Booth finished 14-of-21 for 184 yards and rushed for 63 yards.Minor rushed for 133 yards on 15 carries.“It all came from the line,” Minor said. “It starts with all the hard work in practice. We just got great line play, and then I take it from there.”After the game Tuscaloosa County players gave Higginbotham a celebratory Gatorade shower.Asked how if felt, Higginbotham cautioned his team to not get too excited.“This is the first game and there’s a long way to go,” he said. “But what this does is gives our team a big confidence boost. Now we know we can play a top-10 team well, even on the road.”Tuscaloosa County (1-0) plays at Northridge next Friday. Gadsden City (0-1) host Huffman next Friday.

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron.suttles@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.

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